Episode 92 kicks off 2026 with a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation as Alasdair is joined by Vicki Hughes, Managing Director of McPhee Associates, Board Member of the Wood Recycling Association (WRA), and Vice President of the Chartered Institution of Waste Management (CIWM). With decades of experience across wood recycling, business development, and sector leadership, Vicki brings both strategic insight and practical reality to the discussion.
Vicki reflects on her route into the waste sector, beginning with wood recycling at Hadfields and evolving into consultancy work focused on culture, leadership, permitting, and regulatory engagement. A recurring theme is that many successful waste businesses are built on strong technical ideas but struggle without the management structures and communication needed to support long-term growth. Her work now often centres on helping organisations bridge that gap, improving how teams function as much as what they deliver.
A major part of the episode explores the role of the Wood Recycling Association and the importance of the Waste Wood Classification system. Vicki explains how the sector worked collaboratively with regulators to demonstrate that most waste wood is non-hazardous, protecting vital outlets such as panel board manufacturing, biomass, and animal bedding. She outlines the grading system (A–D) and why getting classification right underpins both environmental protection and market stability across the UK.
The conversation then turns to one of the toughest years the wood recycling sector has faced. A combination of unplanned plant shutdowns, seasonal demand pressures, fires, and infrastructure outages created a perfect storm that left sites struggling to move material and, in some cases, forced wood into landfill. Vicki describes how regulators, particularly SEPA, have worked pragmatically with operators, and how Regulatory Position Statements (RPS) have been used in England to provide temporary relief — while acknowledging the limitations and stress this situation has placed on the entire system.
Looking ahead, Vicki shares her enthusiasm for her upcoming role as CIWM President, with a focus on sector attractiveness. She argues that waste and resource management is still too inward-looking and needs to better communicate its diversity of roles, from engineering and chemistry to data, design, and communications. Central to this is changing language, opening doors to early-career professionals, and making the sector visible to those who would never naturally consider “waste” as a career path.
The episode closes on a hopeful note, with a call to embed circular economy and sustainability thinking much earlier in education. Vicki shares a powerful reflection on how early learning shapes lifelong behaviour and believes engaging children with environmental responsibility could transform both society and the future workforce. Her final advice is simple but resonant: volunteer, say yes to opportunities, and don’t underestimate how skills gained today can shape careers decades later.
Useful Links 🔗
Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) | Wood Recyling
WRA Grades of Waste Wood April 25
Vicki is collecting stories on how people found a career in waste and why they stayed.
To take part, email hello@sizzle.org.uk with “LOVE IT” as the subject.
We kicked off the new year with something a little different — the Rubbish Talk 2025 Quiz. Instead of our usual deep dives, Alasdair and Jane handed the reins to Mia, the podcast’s producer and marketing coordinator, who put together a multiple-choice quiz looking back over a busy year of episodes, guests, and stats.
The quiz tested memories of some standout guests from 2025, as well as questions on listener numbers, global reach, and which episodes proved most popular — with a few surprises along the way.
Friendly rivalry quickly took over as Jane and Alasdair battled it out question by question, debating everything from cows’ teeth to recycling in the Falkland Islands. Despite some confident guesses (and a few wrong turns), it turned into a close contest right to the very end.
It’s a fun, relaxed episode that celebrates the conversations, people, and listeners that made 2025 such a strong year for the podcast. If you’ve dipped in and out of episodes — or just fancy a lighter listen — this one’s for you.
Now’s the perfect time to go back and catch up on any Rubbish Talk episodes from 2025 you might have missed.
As always, a huge thank you to everyone who tuned in, shared an episode, or got in touch over the year. Here’s to even more rubbish talk in 2026!
Merry Christmas from Rubbish Talk! 🎅🎙️ In this festive episode, Alasdair and Jane swap hard-hitting waste debates for something a little more seasonal — practical, realistic tips to help listeners recycle better and reduce waste over the Christmas period. Whether you’re escaping the family for a dog walk or tuning in after the King’s Speech, this episode is all about keeping Christmas joyful and sustainable.
Topic: Recycling Smarter at Christmas
The conversation kicks off with one of Christmas’s biggest items: the tree. Jane explains that real Christmas trees can usually be recycled through council collections, household waste recycling centres, or drop-off points, where they’re chipped and composted. Alasdair adds an interesting example of councils using trees to stabilise sand dunes — a reminder that good intentions still need proper organisation. The pair also debate real versus artificial trees, agreeing that longevity matters most: an artificial tree used for 20+ years can be just as sustainable as buying real ones annually.
Wrapping paper quickly follows, with a strong message to keep things simple. Plain paper that scrunches easily is usually recyclable, while shiny, glittery or foil-lined paper isn’t. Jane shares her mum’s tradition of reusing wrapping paper year after year, while both hosts champion reusable gift bags, boxes, and even magazine pages as low-waste alternatives. Christmas cards get similar treatment — simple cards can be recycled, but anything with glitter, plastic or foil should go in general waste unless reused.
Cardboard boxes are another festive staple, and Alasdair offers a practical bin-tip: flatten cardboard and place it vertically in the bin so it empties properly — something bin crews will definitely appreciate. When it comes to food waste, both hosts stress planning, leftovers, and using food waste caddies. From turkey soup to curries and freezing leftovers, they remind listeners that food waste bins exist for a reason — especially at Christmas, when anaerobic digestion plants see a surge in rich food waste.
The episode also tackles Christmas crackers (not a fan, but tradition wins), glass bottles and jars (yes), broken glassware (no), and fairy lights. Anything with a plug or battery — including lights and toys — should never go in household bins. Jane and Alasdair repeatedly stress safe recycling of electricals and batteries, highlighting fire risks and pointing listeners toward proper take-back schemes and recycling points.
The Rubbish Rant (Festive Edition)
Without turning full Scrooge, Alasdair admits his frustration with Christmas overconsumption — the plastic “tat” that lasts minutes before becoming waste. Both hosts encourage listeners to rethink gifting: re-gifting, donating, selling online, or choosing experiences over things. As Jane puts it, “It’s about knowing your audience.” The episode ends on a warm note, thanking listeners for their support throughout the year and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas — with less waste, fuller bins (the right ones), and a bit more thought behind the wrapping.
Key Christmas Message:
You don’t need to be perfect — just be thoughtful. Reuse what you can, recycle properly, and if you don’t need it… maybe don’t buy it in the first place.
In this episode of Rubbish Talk, Alasdair is joined by two University of Edinburgh postgraduate students, Cait Lawson and Riska Hasan, for a wide-ranging conversation about waste systems, behaviour change, and what the next generation of waste professionals sees coming next.
Cait, an MSc student in Ecological Economics, brings experience from waste research projects across the United States, where landfill remains the dominant disposal route and recycling varies dramatically by state and city. She reflects on how access, transport, and inequality shape recycling behaviour, and why data-driven research is essential if policy is going to translate into real-world change. Her work focuses on understanding how people respond to messaging, incentives, and visual cues — and why top-down systems often fail without community buy-in.
Riska, studying Global Environment, Politics and Society, offers a powerful global south perspective rooted in her work across Southeast Asia. She explains how waste management differs drastically across Indonesia’s thousands of islands, where open dumping, burning, and marine pollution remain daily realities in areas without formal collection systems. Despite this, she highlights the growing role of startups, NGOs, and community-led initiatives that are filling gaps left by government systems and driving behavioural change from the ground up.
Together, the conversation explores why behaviour change matters as much as infrastructure. Riska explains that emotional connection — not rules or fines — is often what shifts habits, pointing to images and stories that have successfully reduced single-use plastics in her region. Cait reinforces this by stressing the need for better data to understand what actually works, rather than assuming people will automatically engage with new systems.
Alasdair reflects on Scotland’s strengths — strong policy frameworks, food waste collections, and recycling infrastructure — but also its weaknesses, particularly low public participation and lack of consequences for poor waste behaviour. The discussion highlights a shared conclusion: systems alone don’t change outcomes; people do. Engagement, clarity, and responsibility are just as critical as bins, trucks, and legislation.
The episode closes with advice for anyone considering a career in waste and sustainability. Cait encourages listeners to take the leap, even if it feels daunting, while Riska reminds us that frustration is part of the job — but so is purpose. Their message is hopeful, grounded, and clear: the future of waste management depends on collaboration across borders, disciplines, and generations.
A big thank you to Jennifer Carfrae for helping set up this interview, and to Jane Bond for making the introduction. Jennifer is a previous Rubbish Talk guest from Episode 48 and leads the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy module delivered jointly by SRUC (Scotland’s Rural University College) and the University of Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, Jane was unable to join us on the day due to some technical issues — we could see her but sadly couldn’t hear her!
Useful Links:
TOPIC: The Waste Journey of Glass
With Scotland generating over 207,000 tonnes of glass waste in 2023 — but recovering only around 131,000 tonnes — there is still a huge opportunity to improve glass circularity. Jane opens with why glass recycling matters: it’s infinitely recyclable, supports the circular economy, and reduces reliance on virgin materials. But the journey is more complex than many realise.
Depending on where you live, glass might be collected kerbside (like Alasdair’s purple-lidded bin), mixed with cans and plastics (like Jane’s), or taken to bottle banks. Regardless, the ideal input is glass bottles and jars only — not Pyrex, window glass, ceramics or drinking glasses, all of which melt at different temperatures and contaminate the recycling stream.
Colour sorting remains important for closed-loop recycling, although modern facilities like Sibelco’s Newhouse plant can separate mixed glass into usable fractions. Surprising to both presenters, current market prices for clear, green, brown and mixed glass are broadly similar — raising questions about the cost–benefit of colour separation at collection.
Jane draws on her visit to the O-I glass factory, describing molten glass “dropping out in globules” before forming new bottles — a process as mesmerising as it is energy-intensive. Reprocessors can only include a certain proportion of recycled content to keep emissions manageable, balancing circularity with furnace performance.
Not all glass becomes bottles again. Some lower-grade material is turned into aggregate, sand substitute, shot-blast material or — interestingly — filtration media. Glass filters can reduce water treatment energy use, chemical demand, and fouling, making it a surprisingly high-value outlet despite its lower carbon savings.
Alasdair highlights European examples where beer bottles are standardised and endlessly reused — a system far more sustainable than recycling. Even at home, Jane recalls milk bottle return schemes as a reminder of how simple reuse can be. Could reuse make a comeback in the UK? Only if producers are pushed to redesign packaging systems.
The UK-wide DRS will exclude glass, unlike Wales, which plans to include it. That decision impacts kerbside systems, retail handling, safety concerns and producer behaviour. As Alasdair notes, omitting glass could lead to more plastic on the market — an unintended environmental consequence worth watching closely.
RUBBISH RANT: Christmas Over-Consumption
With Christmas approaching, Alasdair’s seasonal plea is simple: stop buying tat. From novelty gifts destined for the bin by January to pressure to over-consume at parties, the wastefulness is staggering.
Real or artificial trees? That debate continues, but the message remains: consume thoughtfully, reuse what you have, and resist the assumption that more stuff equals more celebration.
And a final reminder: WEEE and batteries should always be recycled properly — don’t put them in the bin. You can find out where to take them at: Recycle Your Electricals.
News Roundup
Fines for Littering From Cars Up Nearly 500% Since 2020
Jane and Alasdair welcome the dramatic rise in fines but note the bigger picture: only five fines a day across the UK — a tiny response compared to the mountains of roadside litter.
England to Ban Controversial Pay-Per-Fine Litter System
The government plans to scrap enforcement schemes where private companies profit from issuing fines. Alasdair is unmoved: the simplest way to avoid a fine remains don’t litter in the first place.
Spring 2027 Confirmed as Start Date for Ban on Plastic in Wet Wipes
After years of fatbergs, blockages and microplastic pollution, England will finally ban wet wipes containing plastic. Scotland and Northern Ireland are working toward similar bans — albeit slowly.
Scottish Council Considers Cap After One Resident Books Nearly 250 HWRC Visits
Listeners overwhelmingly agreed: 250 visits is not household use — it’s commercial activity in disguise. With ANPR tech now widely used, enforcing limits should be straightforward.
Illegal Waste Dumping Investigation Leads to Arrest
Following months of inaction, an arrest has finally been made relating to a major illegal dumping site first raised in July. The delay highlights many of the enforcement weaknesses discussed last week with barrister Samantha Riggs (Episode 86).
Major Waste Firm Warns Vapes Cause Over One Fire Per Day
Despite the ban on disposables, fires linked to lithium batteries inside vapes continue to rise. Jane and Alasdair stress that this isn’t a “vape problem” alone — any hidden battery in any electronic item poses a risk.
Topic: The Waste Journey of WEEE
The UK places around 1.65 million tonnes of electrical goods on the market each year, yet almost half of all WEEE never reaches recycling — instead being hoarded, binned, lost, or illegally exported. Jane highlights Material Focus research showing that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of reusable or recyclable electronics sit forgotten in cupboards and drawers.
Under WEEE regulations, any product with a plug, cable or battery counts as electrical waste. Producers must register, report tonnages, and pay for recycling — usually via a compliance scheme. But as Alasdair notes, the regulations were written in 2007 and haven’t kept pace with today’s battery-powered gadgets, smart devices and embedded electronics. Even novelty Christmas antlers with light-up LEDs technically fall under WEEE, yet most people throw them in the bin.
The episode also walks through practical recycling steps: retailers must offer take-back when selling new items, HWRCs accept everything from kettles to TVs, and tools like Material Focus’ Hypnocat search tool help householders find drop-off points. Alasdair tested it himself while trying to recycle his broken kettle — and found it far more reliable than Amazon’s own guidance.
At authorised treatment facilities, items are dismantled, hazards removed, batteries extracted, and materials shredded and separated. But many products — from toys to laptops — make battery removal so difficult that operators resort to hammers. This design-for-disposal failure is a major barrier to safe recycling.
Alasdair and Jane conclude that while the system is workable, it’s outdated. Without better producer responsibility, improved design standards, and stronger communication to the public, WEEE recycling will remain a bottleneck in the UK’s circular economy.
Rubbish Rant: Producers, Wet Wipes, and Christmas Tat
This week’s rant is firmly aimed at producers — especially those flooding the market with disposable tech, plastic-filled wet wipes, and seasonal “electrical tat” guaranteed to break before New Year. Alasdair calls for manufacturers to take real responsibility for end-of-life environmental impacts, and Jane notes the ongoing confusion caused when neither producers nor retailers explain proper disposal routes.
This week, Alasdair is joined by a very special guest — Samantha Riggs, a criminal barrister from 25 Bedford Row and one of the UK’s few legal specialists working almost exclusively in environmental and waste management law. Samantha has spent over a decade navigating the complexities of regulation, enforcement, and prosecution in the waste sector — and she also happens to be a long-time Rubbish Talk listener.
Samantha’s legal career began in fraud, including notable cases like hallmarking scams in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and even a nine-month trial involving a man posing as an MI5 officer — the subject of Netflix’s “Rogue Agent”. Eventually she moved away from lengthy fraud trials and into environmental regulation, a field she found far more meaningful and intellectually engaging. She has now specialised in waste for over 12 years.
Much of the discussion centres on the major illegal waste sites emerging across England, including high-profile cases like Hodes Wood and Kiddlington, where tens of thousands of tonnes of waste were deposited illegally despite the regulator being aware months earlier. Samantha explains why frustration is growing within the regulated industry: compliant operators face scrutiny for minor issues while enormous illegal sites flourish unchecked.
She highlights a critical question raised in the House of Lords inquiry into waste crime — if the Environment Agency knew these sites were active in July, why were restriction orders not issued until October? With mountains of waste reaching 30,000–50,000 tonnes, public concern is justified, especially when residents were swimming downstream of sites later found to contain contaminated waste.
Samantha emphasises that the regulator doesn’t need more authority — it already has extensive powers to restrict sites, seize vehicles, question suspects, and shut down illegal operations. The real issue is that these powers aren’t being used effectively. Slow action, weak coordination and unclear accountability mean illegal sites can operate long after being identified. As Samantha notes, the legislation is strong, but the system lacks the drive and structure to enforce it — a concern also highlighted in the recent Lords inquiry.
Samantha explains that sentencing law in England and Wales allows courts to recover full cleanup costs, remove illegal profits, and issue prison sentences of up to five years. Yet many cases never include cleanup cost submissions, and financial investigations are often skipped — meaning fines reflect what offenders claim to earn rather than what they actually gained. According to Samantha, the problem isn’t the sentencing framework but inconsistent application and a lack of specialist understanding within the system.
The conversation also dives into landfill tax fraud, blurred lines between legitimate operators and organised crime, and how producer pressure to keep costs low fuels illegal activity. Samantha stresses that digital waste tracking will help compliant businesses but won’t stop criminals who already avoid paperwork. Ultimately, she argues that England needs independent oversight — similar to Scotland’s split between SEPA and the Procurator Fiscal — because the Environment Agency currently investigates, prosecutes and effectively judges cases with little external scrutiny.
Useful Links:
Independent review on waste crime needed following multiple failures and lack of action
News Roundup
Albion Environmental Wins UK Business of the Year – Investors in People (Gold)
It’s celebration time! Albion Environmental has won UK Business of the Year: Gold (2–49 staff) at the 2025 Investors in People Awards — a recognition of the whole team’s commitment to learning, development, and quality.
Check out our TikTok for a behind-the-scenes look at our trip to London and the moment we won!
Fly-tippers Bury Oxfordshire Field in ‘Shocking’ Waste Mountain
A 150-metre-long, 6-metre-high mound of illegally dumped waste has been discovered — and the cleanup is estimated to cost more than an entire council’s annual budget. With machinery clearly involved, this wasn’t a one-night job… raising big questions about enforcement and the growing gap between legal operators and criminal dumpers.
Planet Protector Group: Sheep Wool Replacing Polystyrene?
In Australia, wool is being transformed into high-performance, climate-friendly packaging insulation. Handling 150 tonnes a week, the product keeps temperatures below –20°C for up to 144 hours and could replace thousands of tonnes of polystyrene. Proof that nature-based solutions can beat plastic — and sometimes outperform petrochemical alternatives.
Flintshire’s New Bin System Cuts 3,000 Tonnes of Waste to EfW
A move to three-weekly bin collections has boosted recycling in Flintshire, with 3,000 fewer tonnes sent to the energy-from-waste plant compared to last year. While great news, Jane and Alasdair can’t help wondering—did all that extra material go into recycling streams… or end up in a field in Oxfordshire?
A Data Centre in a Garden Shed? Yes—And It Heats the House
A pilot “Heat Hub” project is using small data centres placed in garden outbuildings to heat nearby homes using waste heat from computers. Alasdair loves it: warm homes + local data storage + waste heat recovery = circular economy magic.
Woman Fined £1,000 for ‘Fly-tipping Envelope’
At first glance, it sounded harsh. But the photos revealed the envelope was placed on top of a pile of dumped cardboard, not in a bin. As Alasdair says: personal responsibility matters — adding to someone else’s mess is still adding to the mess.
Topic of the Week: The Waste Journey of Paper & Cardboard
This week, Alasdair and Jane dive into the surprisingly complex world of paper and cardboard recycling — a material that most of us assume is straightforward, but which comes with its own challenges, contamination issues, and global markets.
The UK produces 6.5 million tonnes of paper and card each year. Roughly half is recycled domestically, and the other half is exported to Europe, India, and Southeast Asia — with prices rising and falling depending on global demand. Baled cardboard earns roughly £110 per tonne and paper around £150 per tonne, but contamination can quickly turn revenue into cost.
Using insights from industry expert Rod Patterson (Episode 66), the hosts break down the full recycling process. First stop: the MRF, where contamination remains a huge issue — nearly 20% of Scotland’s paper/card stream is non-recyclable material such as plastic, food, shredded paper, nappies, and even dog waste. Once baled, material is shipped to paper mills, where it's mixed with water to form pulp, screened, cleaned, rolled, dried, and turned back into new paper products.
It’s a surprisingly energy- and water-intensive process — the pulp can travel 400–500 metres through a mill, losing 93% of its water along the way — but the end result is one of the true circular success stories. Paper and card become… more paper and card. No downcycling required.
Jane reminds listeners that twin-stream collections in many councils have already improved quality, and simple household habits can make a real difference.
As Alasdair sums up: “Paper and card is one of the materials that genuinely gets recycled. We just need to help the process along by keeping the wrong things out.”
News Roundup
Resident books nearly 250 recycling centre visits in one year
A BBC story revealed that one enthusiastic recycler made 249 bookings at their local HWRC in a year. Jane and Alasdair found it both amusing and revealing — highlighting how booking systems give councils better data but can also expose overuse, potential trade waste, or simply that some residents just love a good chat at the tip.
Provisional pEPR charges for 2026 published
DEFRA has released provisional Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) charges for 2026, and the pair reflect on the implications. Alasdair warns that because the new funds aren’t ring-fenced, councils might absorb them into general budgets rather than improving recycling. Jane raises concerns over increased costs being passed to consumers — but both agree that forcing producers to design more recyclable packaging could drive real change.
Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations update
SEPA’s new Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR) came into effect on 1 November 2025. Jane reminds operators to check the updated guidance and notes that SEPA is even advertising on the radio to raise awareness. Alasdair adds that while the new online system has a few teething issues, it’s a step toward a clearer, more digital approach to environmental compliance.
What is COP30 and why does it matter for climate change?
With COP30 taking place in Brazil next year — 10 years after the Paris Agreement — the hosts question whether the 1.5°C goal is still achievable. They note that major emitters like the US are stepping back from participation and reflect on how global policy momentum feels to be stalling. “It’s gone on the back burner,” says Jane, though both hope renewed focus will emerge around circular economy solutions.
Alasdair on BBC Good Morning Scotland: Landfill Ban Delay
Alasdair appeared on BBC Good Morning Scotland to discuss the two-year delay to Scotland’s landfill ban. He argued that while the extension gives councils breathing room, it risks undermining investment and progress in recycling infrastructure. His key point: if Scotland simply recycled materials properly, the savings to the economy could be significant — and the environmental benefits even greater.
Topic: Waste Reprocessing Capacity in Scotland
The main topic this week delves into the Scottish Government’s Waste Reprocessing Capacity Report, produced under the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024. Alasdair and Jane unpack what the data actually tells us — and what it doesn’t.
The report identifies 169 licensed reprocessing sites with another 14 planned, but Jane questions how many are truly “reprocessing” rather than simply sorting and baling materials for export. Together, they examine key waste streams — from plastics and metals to glass, wood, textiles and organics — revealing a mixed picture of progress.
Success stories include glass (thanks to facilities like the plant at Alloa) and construction waste, where most concrete and aggregates are reused domestically.
Major gaps remain in plastics, paper, textiles, and electronics — where most materials are exported rather than recycled in Scotland. Even wood and food waste processing rely on a limited number of certified sites, far below what’s needed for future demand.
They also highlight emerging challenges with batteries, wind turbines, and mattresses, where infrastructure is scarce or non-existent. “It’s mad,” says Alasdair, “we’ve had wind turbines for decades, but still no national strategy for recycling them.”
Their conclusion? Scotland’s circular economy ambitions hinge on domestic reprocessing investment — not just collection targets. As Jane puts it, “We start strong on strategy, but we never seem to finish. The market waits for certainty, and by the time it arrives, we’ve already kicked the can down the road.”
News Roundup
Landfill Ban Enforcement Paused
Scotland’s long-awaited landfill ban has been delayed once again, as SEPA introduces a temporary enforcement approach to give operators more time to comply. Under the new framework, landfill operators can apply for six-month extensions if they can prove there’s no viable alternative for disposal.
Waste Crime ‘Critically Under-Prioritised’
A new report reveals that waste crime is being treated with dangerously low priority across the UK. The scale is staggering — an estimated 38 million tonnes of waste is illegally managed each year, costing billions and undermining legitimate operators.
House of Lords Calls for Crackdown on Waste Crime
The House of Lords Committee on the Environment and Climate Change has issued a scathing report criticising the lack of coordination between regulators, councils, and law enforcement.
National Litter and Fly-Tipping Strategy
The Scottish Government has published its Year 2 update and Year 3 action plan on litter and fly-tipping. There’s progress — including six new monetary penalties from SEPA and improved data sharing.
Deposit Return Delays and Transparency Row
In other news, the head of Circularity Scotland claims vital details about Scotland’s failed Deposit Return Scheme were “kept from” the organisation, raising questions about how the scheme was managed behind the scenes.
Topic: Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRCs)
This week’s main discussion dives into Household Waste Recycling Sites — or, as most of us still call them, the tip. Jane reminds listeners that under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils are legally required to provide these facilities free of charge for householders (though not for businesses). They’re a vital part of the local waste system — taking everything from garden waste and cardboard to fridges, batteries, and hazardous items like asbestos.
Alasdair and Jane explore the challenges councils face running these busy sites: traffic management, health and safety, limited space, and the occasional misunderstanding over what goes where. They discuss the importance of good signage, clear layouts, and simple preparation at home — sorting waste into separate piles before arriving can make all the difference.
They also talk about the rise of booking systems, introduced during COVID and now used by several councils. Alasdair is a fan — saying it cuts queues, reduces abuse toward staff, and helps councils collect data to plan better. Jane sees both sides, warning that some residents dislike needing to book ahead and that digital exclusion could leave some people behind. Still, both agree that for many councils, it’s made life easier, safer, and more efficient.
The episode also shines a light on the human side of HWRCs — the staff who run them. Sadly, violence and aggression toward operators is becoming more common, with some councils now using body cameras for safety. Jane notes how important proper training and communication skills are, and Alasdair points listeners to SWITCH's Violence and Aggression resources, including a video from Falkirk Council that’s worth sharing.
Finally, they celebrate the potential of reuse and repair at HWRCs — from on-site “reuse shops” to community partnerships recovering wood, paint, and furniture. There’s huge potential to move further up the waste.
Rubbish Rant: Waste Crime Without Consequence
This week, Alasdair’s rant circles back to the House of Lords’ waste crime report. He reminds listeners that legitimate waste operators are often the real victims — forced to compete with illegal traders offering “cheap” disposal by cutting corners. “At the end of the day,” he says, “it’s the people hiring these low-cost operators who drive the problem.”
As always, the message is clear: responsible waste management needs proper enforcement, smarter systems — and a public willing to do the right thing.
This week, Alasdair is joined by Amanda Young, an engineering PhD student at the University of the West of Scotland, who’s taking the fight to fly-tipping, quite literally — she’s a two-time ISKA world kickboxing champion!
Amanda’s research focuses on the relationship between kerbside bulky-waste collections and fly-tipping across Scotland, digging into why so many people still resort to dumping items illegally. Through interviews, surveys, and council data, she’s uncovered some striking patterns — including how charging for bulky uplifts, inconsistent services, and long waiting times can unintentionally push people toward illegal disposal. For many, it’s not laziness but lack of access, transport, or awareness of the right channels.
She and Alasdair unpack the social side of waste behaviour — how people’s decisions are shaped by stigma, convenience, and affordability. They explore the reality that bulky items like sofas, fridges, or mattresses often get dumped because it’s easier than navigating collection systems that differ from one council to another. As Amanda points out, “people aren’t necessarily trying to break the rules — they just don’t always know how the system works.”
The discussion also highlights the positive work happening across Scotland, from councils piloting free or low-cost bulky uplift schemes to social enterprises rescuing and repairing reusable furniture. Amanda argues that building circular economy principles into local waste services — focusing on reuse and community value — could reduce fly-tipping while supporting social good.
Alasdair is impressed by Amanda’s ability to connect data with lived experience, showing how waste management isn’t just an environmental issue but a human one. Her findings show that empathy, clear communication, and equal access are just as crucial as enforcement in tackling fly-tipping. The pair also touch on Amanda’s presentation at the Sardinia Symposium, where she shared Scotland’s story on an international stage and drew inspiration from global approaches to waste prevention and circularity.
By the end of the episode, Alasdair admits Amanda might have changed his mind on charging for bulky uplifts — proof that research and practical insight can shift even seasoned industry views.
Useful Links:
If you live in Scotland and would like to voice your opinions on fly-tipping in your community and the kerbside collection for household bulky items (e-waste, furniture, white goods), please click here.
If you would like to connect or follow the research journey, connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.
This week, Alasdair and Jane start with a listener shout-out!
A big thanks to Deborah Saxton from Saxton Consultancy, who got in touch after our AD episode to share news of a Spanish company developing food waste pre-treatment tech — sounds like a future guest in the making!
And our favourite confession of the week? Someone fell asleep listening to Rubbish Talk and woke up to Jane Googling the scientific name for mad cow disease. It still counts as a listen!
News Roundup
Turning Beach Waste into Footwear
A new BBC story highlights an entrepreneur who’s transforming discarded flip-flops into brand new sandals. He collects waste flip-flops from beaches across Southeast Asia and South America, using the plastic for soles of stylish new shoes made in Spain. Now an ambassador for a government loan scheme, he’s proving that sustainable startups and circular design can walk hand in hand.
Ashes on the Hills — A Different Kind of Waste
The John Muir Trust is calling for more respect in how people scatter ashes on mountains. Alasdair and Jane discussed how some hikers are leaving visible piles of ash on popular peaks — creating environmental and ethical dilemmas.
Fishing Nets to 3D Printing Filament
From the Cornish coast comes a great story of innovation: one man’s mission to turn discarded fishing nets into material for 3D printing, making everything from sunglasses to motorbike parts. In this Guardian feature, he calls it a “one-man recycling revolution”, and his micro-factory-in a container concept could scale globally.
A businesses in the South West are pushing back against the UK’s new EPR rules. According to the BBC, some firms say the new packaging tax will raise prices, but as Alasdair notes, “why should councils — and the public — pay for disposal when producers profit from the packaging?”. It’s a fair question. Whether the cost hits the checkout or the council bill, the shift could finally drive smarter packaging design.
Topic: Fridge Recycling Waste Journey
This week, Alasdair and Jane continued their waste journeys with one of the bulkiest and most complex household items — the humble fridge. Around 3 million fridges and freezers are discarded every year in the UK, which works out to an average lifespan of just nine years.
Fridges might look harmless, but they contain refrigerant gases like CFCs and HFCs, which have a global warming impact up to two tonnes of CO₂ per fridge. These gases sit not only in the cooling system but also in the insulating foam, which is why proper recycling is so important. When a fridge reaches the end of its life, it can be collected by the retailer, uplifted by the council, or taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre before being sent to an authorised treatment plant such as GAP Alba in Perth.
At these facilities, fridges go through a careful dismantling process. The refrigerant gases and oils are first extracted from the compressor, which is then removed for recycling. The remaining shell is shredded in a sealed environment to prevent any gases escaping, while metals and plastics are separated for reuse. The insulating foam is turned into solid recovered fuel, and only a small fraction of the material becomes waste.
The key message? Whether it’s 9 old or 20, your fridge has a significant environmental footprint when it’s not handled correctly. So when it finally gives up, make sure it’s recycled through an approved facility.
Rubbish Rant: Roadside Litter Madness
This week’s rant turned to roadside rubbish after Jane spotted Transport Scotland’s new litter campaign on Facebook, highlighting the risks to road workers who have to collect discarded waste.
While Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Scottish Government’s new litter and fly-tipping action plan are trying to tackle the issue, Alasdair remains sceptical — there’s plenty of talk, but not much action.
News Roundup
Renewables Overtake Coal as the World’s Top Power Source
According to BBC News, renewable energy — mainly solar and wind — has overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity for the first half of this year. While China and India lead the charge, richer nations like the US and EU are lagging behind. Jane shares her sunny holiday observations of solar panels in Greece, while Alasdair notes Scotland’s growing wind power and the massive investment needed to reconfigure the national grid.
London’s Air Quality Hits Legal Targets for the First Time
For the first time since 2010, nitrogen dioxide levels in London have dropped within legal limits — largely thanks to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Alasdair reminds listeners that these schemes are not just about climate change but public health, with air pollution linked to around 9,500 premature deaths annually in London alone.
Fly-tipping or Just a Bit of Litter?
One woman faced a £300 fine after putting an envelope in a public bin following an online collection. Thankfully, the council backed down — but it sparked debate over how far enforcement should go. As Alasdair points out, the right approach would’ve been to recycle the wrapper at a supermarket soft-plastics point.
Fly-tippers Strike Again — 40 Tonnes of Waste Dumped on a Farm
In Essex, a farmer discovered 40 tonnes of suspected hazardous waste dumped on his land, facing a £26,000 bill to clear it. Alasdair and Jane discuss how waste crime like this is rising, often linked to unscrupulous operators dodging disposal fees — and how it unfairly penalises landowners.
Topic: Waste Journeys – Food Waste
This week, Alasdair and Jane trace the journey of food waste through the anaerobic digestion (AD) process — where microbes transform leftovers into methane gas (used for energy) and digestate (used as fertiliser).
With England introducing mandatory food waste collections by March 2026, the hosts explore how this system works and why it’s key to cutting carbon. Food waste makes up nearly 30% of household bins, half of which is avoidable — but when recycled, it becomes a valuable resource.
Jane breaks down the biology: AD is a controlled, oxygen-free process where microbes “digest” food waste, producing biogas for electricity, heating, or vehicle fuel, and a nutrient-rich fertiliser to replace chemicals on farms.
Alasdair explains the economics: AD plants now accept food waste for as little as £16 per tonne — or even pay for clean loads — compared to nearly £190 per tonne for landfill or incineration.
The pair also discuss quality standards like PAS 110, contamination issues (tea bags, fruit stickers, and “biodegradable” liners that don’t actually degrade in AD), and why consistency in food inputs keeps the process healthy — for bugs and business alike.
Key Takeaway: AD turns waste into value — but it only works if we do our bit. Separate your scraps, keep plastics out, and let nature do the rest.
Rubbish Rant: Buffet Waste Woes
This week it’s Jane’s turn for a rant— and it’s about buffets.
On holiday, she was shocked by how much untouched food people left on their plates. Her verdict? “You should only be allowed to go up for seconds if you’ve finished everything on your plate!”
Alasdair agrees, noting that some hotels like Premier Inn have switched from buffet breakfasts to cooked-to-order meals to cut waste. Together, they call for a culture shift — less piling up, more portioning smartly. Because even when food is plentiful, waste shouldn’t be.
This week we sit down with Larry Kotch, CEO of Flybox, to explore how black soldier fly larvae can transform organic by-products into high-value protein and fertiliser (frass). Larry’s route to insects started at university, studying environmental governance and waste policy in South Africa. A dissertation on early insect operations “bit him by the bug,” but an entomologist steered him toward business first. After building a 40-person software agency, he returned to his original passion and co-founded Flybox to make insect systems practical for the waste sector.
Larry frames Flybox as insect waste management, not “insect farming.” Larvae are nature’s clean-up crew: in controlled, food-factory-style environments they eat organic material and, in around eight days, upcycle it into larvae (protein) and frass (fertiliser). Unlike linear “burn for energy” routes such as incineration or even AD, this approach keeps nutrients circulating—food becomes larvae, which become pet food and aquafeed ingredients, while frass returns to soils. The model is modular and highly automated: by-products are milled into a porridge (ideally ~70% moisture), dosed with juvenile larvae that Flybox supplies on subscription, grown at ~30°C, then sieved to separate larvae from frass. Outputs can be sold live, frozen, dried or defatted; Flybox can also buy back product via offtake.
Regulation shapes what goes in. In the UK/EU, Category 3 ABP rules prevent using post-consumer “black bin” food waste as feed; the focus is pre-consumer by-products. Other regions are more permissive (some even allow manures). Warmer climates lower energy needs, but feedstock reliability and logistics matter. Today’s strongest markets are premium pet food and aquaculture, with a long-term push toward mass fishmeal pricing as technology improves and organics policy evolves. Larry notes how subsidies and gate-fee dynamics for AD/EfW can distort feedstock economics; as “Simpler Recycling” and landfill/biodegradable bans bite, on-site circular options become more attractive—especially for producers whose by-products are now being turned away from AD.
Who’s adopting? Waste management companies (they control feedstock and need circular solutions) and food manufacturers/retail/distribution (seeking on-site treatment, lower costs, and “zero-waste” reporting—larvae turn a “waste” into a feed ingredient). In the UK, operators want low-labour systems, so Flybox leans into automation: robotic stacking/sieving, conveyors and climate control in modular “fly boxes” or warehouse-scale tunnels. Typical entry scale is 0.5–1 tonne/day, with the next-gen platform targeting 30–50 t/day sites. Operationally, dosing is critical—too few larvae and material remains wet and hard to handle; too many and you waste potential. Backup power and ventilation are designed in to keep conditions stable and odours controlled.
On perception and safety, Larry stresses there are no swarms of flies. Only a small breeding cohort matures; production larvae are harvested well before pupation. For householders wary of “maggots in the caddy,” he explains it’s usually down to flies laying eggs in poorly sealed bins or long storage times—good practice prevents it. Looking ahead, Flybox is completing a funding round to expand its Cheshire R&D/demo site, roll out Gen-3 for larger facilities, and move several active projects from design into construction.
Key takeaway: Insects aren’t a gimmick—they’re a credible, circular organics solution that can turn by-products into protein and fertiliser in just eight days. As policy and collection systems shift, modular insect units could help waste managers and food producers cut disposal costs, reduce emissions, and create products, not just energy.
Useful Links 🔗
News Roundup
Scotland’s £1.3 Billion Food Waste Problem
A new Zero Waste Scotland report reveals households are binning £1.3 billion worth of food every year — that’s around £234 per person, or nearly £100 a month for the average family. Shockingly, 73% of that waste was edible. Overcooking, poor planning, and not using food in time are the main culprits. With a landfill ban for biodegradable waste due in January 2026, the pressure to cut food waste is mounting.
Recycle Week: Toothpaste Tubes Go Plastic-Only
Toothpaste brands are switching from hard-to-recycle aluminium–plastic tubes to fully plastic designs, making them technically recyclable. With 25 million tubes sold annually in the UK, it’s a big step forward — but Alasdair points out a gap: while they can be recycled, most facilities aren’t yet equipped to capture them. For now, they may still end up in general waste.
Energy-from-Waste & Carbon Costs: A SUEZ Warning
A new SUEZ report challenges fears that the emissions trading scheme (ETS) will inevitably send waste-to-energy costs soaring. Councils, it argues, can reduce exposure by improving recycling rates and targeting “carbon-heavy” waste streams like plastics, electricals, and nappies. Alasdair highlights that better infrastructure today could mean lower costs tomorrow.
Topic: Recycling Collection Systems
This week we looked at how recycling collections compare across Scotland, England and Wales—and why some systems deliver better outcomes than others.
In Scotland, the Household Recycling Code of Practice was introduced in 2016, aiming to standardise collections of paper/card, plastics/metals/cartons, glass and food waste. Nearly all councils signed up, but consistency remains patchy. Different bin colours and rules confuse the public, and Zero Waste Scotland estimates 81% of what goes in residual bins shouldn’t be there. Food waste collections are also underused, showing the system is in place but underperforming.
England is now rolling out “simpler recycling,” due by March 2026. This standardises collections with four core containers—including a weekly food waste service for most households. It’s a big shift, but councils face major operational challenges: sourcing new bins, adapting routes, and finding capacity at treatment facilities. Soft plastics are also on the agenda, but without reprocessing infrastructure in place, their recyclability remains questionable.
Wales continues to lead with around 57% recycling. Its kerbside sort system delivers higher-quality recyclate, supported by legally binding recovery targets that drive consistent progress. This mix of clear targets, high-quality outputs and strong public engagement has kept Wales ahead of the rest of the UK.
Key takeaway: Recycling systems only work if they deliver both quality and consistency. Wales proves that clear targets and well-designed services can transform results. For Scotland and England, the biggest gains now lie in getting food waste out of residual bins, aligning messaging with infrastructure, and ensuring what’s collected can actually be recycled.
Rubbish Rant: Back Lane Dumping
This week’s rant was more of a “mini rant” from Alasdair. While out and about, he’s noticed more and more items being abandoned in back lanes — old furniture, bags of waste, or random junk left outside garden gates. The problem? It doesn’t just disappear. Often it sits there for weeks or months, creating eyesores and attracting more fly-tipping.
As Alasdair points out, extra bins mean more are stored in lanes rather than gardens — but that seems to encourage some people to leave other things out too. Whether it’s wishful thinking or just avoiding a trip to the recycling centre, it’s a bad habit that quickly turns shared spaces into dumping grounds.
Key takeaway: Bins are for waste, not the back gate. If it’s bulky, book a collection or take it to the recycling site — don’t expect it to vanish on its own.
News Roundup
Wet Wipe Island on the Thames
A 180-tonne “island” of congealed wet wipes has formed near Hammersmith Bridge — the size of two tennis courts and a metre high. Thames Water is using an 8-ton excavator to remove it, but the bigger issues are people flushing wipes containing plastic and storm overflows bypassing treatment. Police are even trialling “spike-trap” devices to trace repeat sewer blockers back to households — with fines a possibility.
Waste Crime Crackdown in Lincolnshire
The Environment Agency has confiscated £75,000 from illegal operators, but what’s new is fining machine drivers and waste hauliers too. With landfill tax now £126/tonne, waste crime is profitable, but prosecuting the whole chain could hit harder.
Food Waste Costs Families £90/Month
In Wales, the average family bins nearly £1,000 of food a year — even with collections available. Research shows 80% could have been eaten. Alasdair notes that separating food often makes households realise just how much they waste.
North Ayrshire’s Reuse Row
A political spat erupted after second-hand mattresses and furniture were reused for council homes. Critics called it undignified, but Alasdair argues it’s common sense: cleaning and reusing good items gives them a second life and keeps them out of landfill.
Pannage Pigs in the New Forest
Hundreds of pigs have been released for the annual season to eat acorns, toxic to ponies and cattle. With new food waste collections, concerns are rising they’ll target bins too — proving that “pannage season can be carnage.”
Topic: Waste Collection Methods
Alasdair and Jane explore how household collections evolved over 200 years.
In the early 1800s, waste was dumped in streets and rivers, fuelling cholera outbreaks until the Public Health Act (1848) made councils responsible. “Dust yards” collected coal ash and cinders, reused in brick-making and farming.
Milestones since:
Today’s methods:
The hidden cost? In 2018, household waste services cost £154 per household per year — about 7p in every £1 of council tax. Crews face expensive vehicles, routing challenges, and health/safety risks (think gas canisters or lithium batteries).
Key takeaway: From ash bins to wheelie bins, collection has always adapted. But one simple fix we missed? Standardising bin colours nationwide to cut confusion.
Rubbish Rant (Well… Not Quite!)
This week, Alasdair broke tradition — no rant, just positivity.
Fresh from the resource management show at the NEC, he found the sector buzzing: packed talks, busy stands, and a real sense of momentum.
Key takeaway: Waste isn’t just about problems — it’s about innovation, collaboration, and the energy driving us forward.
News Roundup
Fire at S Norton’s Glasgow East Facility
Another week, another fire — this time at S Norton’s Glasgow East site. Six appliances attended, and thankfully no one was hurt. Alasdair notes around four refuse vehicles catch fire daily in the UK, often from lithium-ion batteries. Without stronger producer responsibility, these fires will keep happening.
£500m Skelton Grange EfW Facility Opens in Leeds
Enfinium has opened its £500m energy-from-waste plant in Leeds, designed to process 410,000 tonnes a year and generate 49 MW. It highlights the UK’s continued reliance on EfW as landfill space shrinks.
Dutch Waste Tax Hikes Risk ‘Waste Tourism’
The Netherlands plans big waste tax increases to raise €567m, but critics warn it could push waste abroad. Alasdair compares it to Scotland’s higher landfill tax, where price gaps risk shifting waste rather than solving the problem.
John Lewis Highlights £29m EPR Costs
John Lewis has added £29m to cover extended producer responsibility. Jane welcomes overdue accountability, while Alasdair says producers should pay for the waste they create — though retailers may simply pass the cost on.
12 September marked Plastic Overshoot Day — when global plastic generation exceeds capacity to manage it. With 28kg per person worldwide (likely higher in the UK), packaging drives one-third of production.
Toxic Landfill Leachate Mixed with Sewage
A Guardian story raised alarms about landfill leachate mixed into sewage sludge and spread on farmland. Alasdair explains it’s longstanding practice, with fertiliser benefits but real concerns over PFAS and microplastics. The fix lies upstream, not just at the last stage.
Topic: Landfill – The Last Resort?
In our final waste-hierarchy episode, we cover disposal. Both Jane and Alasdair began their careers on landfill sites, so this one’s close to home.
In the late ’80s and ’90s, nearly everything went to landfill. Concerns about leachate and gas migration pushed the UK toward liners, leachate treatment, and gas control. By the ’90s, the UK led in landfill engineering, with gas-to-energy powering homes.
The EU Landfill Directive (1999) forced higher standards and split sites into inert, non-hazardous, or hazardous. Scotland now has no hazardous sites — all waste goes south.
Landfill Tax introduced in 1996 at £7 per tonne, now stands at £103.70 per tonne in both England and Scotland. It successfully drove diversion to recycling and EfW — but also fuelled waste crime, as rogues undercut lawful disposal.
Scotland’s 2026 biodegradable landfill ban will remove household/commercial waste, but industry waste still needs outlets. With falling tonnages, some operators may not invest in new lined cells, risking shortages and long haulage — already an issue in the Highlands.
It’s not all bad: landfill gas-to-energy remains a key renewable, restored sites support wildlife, and there’s interest in landfill mining or storing plastics in mono-cells for future recovery.
Key takeaway: Landfill is still needed, but only as a true last resort. The better we reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover, the less waste ends up buried for future generations.
Rubbish Rant: Coffee Cup Chaos at Edinburgh Airport
Alasdair’s rant this week comes from Edinburgh Airport. He spotted “coffee cup only” bins full of other rubbish — and worse, dual bins (cups vs residual) both leading to a single bag. If it all goes to residual, why separate?
The UK bins 3.2bn cups annually, costing councils £5.1m, while big brands contribute just £45k via the National Cup Recycling Scheme — barely 0.01% of profits. Add public confusion (plastic iced cups ≠ coffee cups), and it looks more like PR than real progress.
Jane shared a brighter note, trying a BorrowMyCup at Glasgow’s Transport Museum. If every UK resident reused just one cup, that’s 69m fewer disposables.
Key takeaway: Misleading bins and token funding won’t cut it. The real fix? Bring your own cup and reuse.
This week on the Rubbish Talk Podcast we welcome a special guest – Andy Rees OBE, Head of Waste Strategy at the Welsh Government – for a fascinating conversation about how Wales became a global leader in recycling and what the rest of the UK can learn from their approach.
Andy’s career spans over 25 years in waste policy, starting with a background in geochemistry and water pollution before moving into waste strategy in the late 1990s. Since then, he has helped shape a system that has transformed Wales from a 5% recycling rate to nearly 70%, earning international recognition and making Wales second in the world for recycling.
Andy explains Wales success lies in its focus on consistency, quality, and public engagement. Weekly collections of separated materials – paper/card, glass, plastics/metals, and food waste – ensure high-quality recyclables that manufacturers actually want. Mandatory workplace recycling reinforces the message beyond households, creating a culture of recycling “at work, rest and play.” Food waste has been a particular priority, with capture rates rising from 45% in 2018 to 58% in 2022 thanks to strong communication campaigns and accessible weekly services.
But Andy is clear that recycling is just the beginning. The Welsh Government’s Beyond Recycling strategy looks to the next step: prevention, reuse, repair, and remanufacturing. From reuse hubs to plastic film recycling trials and investment in local processing facilities, Wales is working to keep resources circulating in its economy for as long as possible, creating jobs and reducing reliance on raw materials.
There are challenges, of course. Behaviour change takes time, political pressures can make bold decisions difficult, and new infrastructure requires investment. Yet Andy’s message is simple: be brave and stick with it. Wales was once told that 25%, 40%, even 70% recycling targets were impossible – but persistence paid off.
The key takeaway from this episode is that clear systems, strong public engagement, and political courage can transform waste management. By designing for quality, supporting reuse, and persevering through resistance, we can build a truly circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.
News Roundup 🗞️
EU Plastics Recycling Industry Warns of Imminent Collapse
The European plastics recycling sector is in crisis. Falling demand, rising costs, and low-priced imports are pushing facilities to the brink. By the end of 2025, Europe could lose 1m tonnes of recycling capacity. Alasdair links this to UK plant closures — a worrying trend that risks undoing progress on circularity.
Plastic Energy Produces First Recycled Oil at Dutch Plant
Some brighter news: Plastic Energy has produced its first batch of pyrolysis oil (TACOIL™) in the Netherlands, using hard-to-recycle plastics as feedstock. Jane calls it a breakthrough: turning unrecyclable waste back into raw material. Full commercial production is expected later this year.
QMRE Secures Permit for Plastic-to-Oil Operations in Kent
QM Recycling Energy has secured a permit in Kent to process up to five tonnes of plastic waste a day into oil. Smaller in scale than Plastic Energy, but another sign that advanced recovery technologies are moving forward.
DEFRA to Reform Waste Carrier, Broker and Dealer System
DEFRA plans major changes to waste carrier regulation, moving to permits and exemptions. The aim is tackling waste crime, but Alasdair warns against painting the whole industry as “criminal.” Enforcement should focus on true offenders, while the public needs clearer communication about why rules (like bulky uplift changes) are in place.
Topic: Your Waste, Your Responsibility ♻️
This week Jane and Alasdair take on litter — and the myth that “the bins were full” is an excuse. At its heart: responsibility. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, everyone has a legal duty of care from the moment waste is created until it’s finally dealt with. That applies to households, businesses, and contractors alike.
On a daily level, that means simple things: if a bin’s full, use another or take waste home. Don’t stack bottles on top or leave bags beside bins — that’s still littering.
The duty becomes even more critical with home renovations. If a builder’s “mate with a van” fly-tips your bathroom and the bags trace back to you, you’re liable. Always ask carriers where waste is going, check they’re licensed (SEPA in Scotland, the Environment Agency in England), and get proof. If a price looks too cheap, it probably ends in a lay-by.
The scale is huge: Scotland sees 250m visible items of litter each year and tens of thousands of fly-tipping incidents, costing tens of millions to clean up. Penalties exist — £80 for littering and £500 for fly-tipping — and new rules mean litter thrown from vehicles can now be penalised via the keeper. But laws only matter if enforced.
Takeaway: Leave no trace. Carry rubbish to the next bin, fold cups, stack containers, and compact waste to leave room for others. Responsibility doesn’t end when you drop it — it’s on all of us to cut the 250m items blighting Scotland each year.
Rubbish Rant: Batteries Burning the Sector 🔥
Another week, another fire — this time at a Scottish site run by Cireco. While still under investigation, it reflects a growing crisis: lithium-ion batteries in the waste stream. Across the UK, an estimated four refuse collection vehicles catch fire daily, often triggered by hidden batteries from vapes, earbuds, and electronics.
Alasdair argues operators can’t keep carrying the blame when the real issue is producers and poor product stewardship. Despite take-back rules, too many batteries end up in bins. Stronger producer responsibility is needed — clearer labelling, proper collection, or even a deposit-return model for vapes.
Jane adds that public education is vital: the real frontline is householders choosing what to put in the bin.
Takeaway: Fires put workers, facilities, and services at risk. Producers and government must step up, while the public takes responsibility for safe disposal.
News Roundup
KKR Set to Sell Viridor for £7bn
Private equity giant KKR is preparing to sell UK recycling firm Viridor, five years after buying it for £4.2bn. With a potential £7bn price tag, it shows how lucrative waste infrastructure has become — even as Viridor’s Kent plastics plant closure highlights ongoing market challenges. Alasdair notes that many UK energy-from-waste sites are up for sale, reflecting both volatility and profitability.
Global Plastics Treaty Talks Collapse
Two weeks of negotiations ended without agreement on reducing plastic production or tackling plastic pollution, as lobbying pressures derailed progress. Jane and Alasdair voice frustration at yet another missed chance to address this global crisis.
Indaver has walked away from the troubled Ness Energy-from-Waste facility in NE Scotland, leaving original owner ACW in charge. Though now operational again, the disruption forced councils to arrange costly landfill back-up — a stark reminder of infrastructure fragility.
UK’s First Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Facility
LIBAT has opened the UK’s first lithium-ion battery recycling site, using nitrogen to safely shred batteries and recover cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium. While “black mass” is still exported for final processing, this is a key step in tackling a fast-growing waste stream.
Major Fire at Dunfermline Landfill
A blaze at Cireco’s Lochhead landfill destroyed equipment but caused no injuries. It’s the latest in a worrying pattern of fires linked to batteries and vapes. With 3–4 waste vehicle fires a day in the UK, Alasdair calls for stronger measures to keep hazardous items out of bins.
Topic: Recover the Energy of Waste Produced
This week, Alasdair and Jane continue their journey through the waste hierarchy, arriving at recovery — the stage where we extract energy from what’s left after we’ve reduced, reused, and recycled.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a clear win: it turns food and organic waste into methane for energy and digestate for farmland. Yet only 20% of Scots use their food waste bins. Full participation could erase Scotland’s current energy-from-waste (EfW) capacity gap.
EfW, often dubbed incineration, deals with what’s left. Modern facilities meet strict emission standards and can supply electricity, heat, and recover metals from ash. Shetland’s district heating scheme is proof of how well this can work.
But EfW faces issues: high costs, inflexibility, and criticism for destroying resources that future tech might recover. With Scotland’s biodegradable landfill ban (Jan 2026) and up to 700,000 tonnes of waste still needing homes, EfW is vital — but far from perfect. Add the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (2028), which could add £80–£90/tonne, and it’s clear we must focus harder on prevention and proper recycling.
Takeaway: Use your food waste caddy, recycle right, and reduce what you bin. The less we throw away, the less we need to burn.
Rubbish Rant: Coffee Cups & Empty Promises
This week’s rant targets the National Cup Recycling Scheme. Backed by Costa, McDonald’s, Pret, and Greggs, it’s launched a £45,000 fund for cup recycling. Sounds good? Not when the UK bins 3.2 billion cups annually, costing over £5m just to dispose of. Against those figures — and the massive profits of these brands — £45k looks like PR, not progress.
Alasdair’s verdict? Skip the disposables. Bring your own cup. One reusable could stop you adding to the 49 cups per person the UK throws away each year.
Final Thought: Real change isn’t token gestures — it’s cutting waste at the source.